I am in the middle of putting together one of those stories in which I become a groupie of my sources, and they practically have to hang up on me or schedule an emergency root canal to get me off the phone.

One of those sources is Benjamin Levine, Director of the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. As we talked, he told me about a research project currently underway at the institute.

If I paraphrase what "The Effect of Long Duration Exercise on the Diastolic Function of the Heart" means, I might leave out something vital. So instead I'l rely on this description from Erin Howden, PhD and postdoctoral research fellow:

"The purpose of this study is to determine whether what we consider an 'optimal exercise prescription for life' -- exercise training at different intensities four to five days a week for two years in sedentary middle-aged men and women (ages 45-64) – will improve the flexibility of the heart and blood vessels to a degree equivalent to lifelong exercisers or young individuals."

To participate, you need to meet these criteria:

Be within the age range of 45 to 64

Not have any chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or a body mass index (BMI) over over 30.

Be a non-smoker

Be sedentary, or exercise mildly to moderately no more than 60 to 90 minutes per week.

Be willing and able to participate in either a two-year exercise program or a two-year program of flexibility and balance training (determined randomly)

If you meet these criteria, you'll receive comprehensive exercise testing and consulting, a personalized exercise program, and monetary compensation for your time.